It’s been 60 years since steam locomotives performed mainline revenue rail operations in the United States and Canada. To commemorate the anniversary, Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) along with our friends group, the Iron Horse Society, will throughout the month of October highlight some of our mainline steam locomotives. Every Thursday morning, beginning October 1, a different mainline steam locomotive will be moved to a place of honor on the museum complex Turntable and remain there for a week.  The planned schedule of highlighted mainline steam locomotives, subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, is as follows:

Week 1 (Oct 1-7), Grand Trunk Western No. 6039 (a 4-8-2 “Mountain” type)

Week 2 (Oct 8-14), Displays highlighting ongoing Steamtown NHS restoration work:

— in the Visitor Center on the Boston & Maine No. 3713 (a 4-6-2 “Pacific” type),

— in the Locomotive Cutaway area on the Union Pacific No. 4012 (a 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” type)

**Please note that neither the No. 3713 nor the No. 4012 will be on display on the Turntable** 

Week 3 (Oct 15-21), Nickel Plate Road No. 759 (a 2-8-4 “Berkshire” type)

Week 4 (Oct 22-28), Reading Company No. 2124 (a 4-8-4 “Northern” type)

Week 5 (Oct 29-Nov 4), Illinois Central No. 790 (a 2-8-0 “Consolidation” type)

Also, Canadian mainline steam locomotives Canadian Pacific No. 2317 (a 4-6-2 “Pacific” type) and Canadian National No. 3254 (a 2-8-2 “Mikado” type) will be located on tracks near the core museum complex for easy viewing.

While visiting Steamtown NHS, which has no entrance fee, all ages can learn more and earn a badge by completing the free Railroad Explorer Junior Ranger program. And if you cannot join the commemoration in person, follow the activities on our social media pages:

-via Press Release